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Geography

Geography is the spatial science. It is a combination of both physical earth sciences and social sciences. 

Geographers ask questions about where things happen or what happens at a particular location. From volcanic mountains to flat floodplains, the Earth’s natural processes create diverse natural landscapes. In geography courses, you’ll explore how humans interact with these landscapes and create diverse societies. You will learn how to interpret and create maps and diagrams that present data about the physical and human environment.  

Geographers work in a broad range of fields including environmental science, politics, economics, transportation, and medical fields. Whatever your interests are, geography courses at SFCC are an excellent foundation. 

What You’ll Learn

  • Create maps and figures depicting quantitative and qualitative geographic data
  • Extract quantitative and qualitative geographic data from maps and figures
  • Explain the relationship between humans and the natural environment
  • Describe geography's contribution to understanding and solving human problems

You and your advisor will use this program map as a starting point to create a personal education plan customized to your needs. We meet you where you are and help you reach your goals.
Need more details? Check out the degree worksheet for the AA-DTA degree and work with your advisor to make sure you take the right classes to prepare to transfer in Geography. Course descriptions and course learning outcomes can be found in our online catalogue.

Program Map for

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Total Credits: 90

First Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
GEOG& 102
World Regional Geography
5
GUID 105
Student Success
2
Choose 1 course from:
CMST 229
Argumentation and Advocacy
5
CMST& 101
Introduction to Communication
5
CMST& 220
Public Speaking
5
Choose 1 course from:
HLTH 101
Health and Wellness
3
HLTH 104
Stress Management
3
HLTH 174
First Aid
3
HLTH 270
Nutrition for Fitness
3
Total Credits
 
15

Second Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
GEOL& 101
Intro to Physical Geology
5
Choose 1 course from:
MATH& 107
Math in Society
5
MATH& 146
Introduction to Statistics
5
PHIL& 120
Symbolic Logic
5
Choose 1 course from:
ART 112
Non-Western Art
5
FILM 224
Contemporary Global Cinema
5
FILM 225
Independent Film
5
FILM 236
The Documentary Film
5
MUSC 109
World Music
5
Total Credits
 
15

Third Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ENGL& 101
English Composition I
5
Choose 1 course from:
ART 112
Non-Western Art
5
FILM 224
Contemporary Global Cinema
5
FILM 225
Independent Film
5
FILM 236
The Documentary Film
5
MUSC 109
World Music
5
Choose 1 course from:
GEOG 260
The Violent Earth
5
GEOG& 100
Introduction to Geography
5
Total Credits
 
15

Fourth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
POLS& 203
International Relations
5
Choose 1 course from:
MATH& 107
Math in Society
5
MATH& 146
Introduction to Statistics
5
Choose 1 course from:
CMST 226
Gender Communication
5
CMST 227
Intercultural Communication
5
FRCH& 121
French I
5
JOURN 110
Mass Media
5
Total Credits
 
15

Fifth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
Choose 5 credit from:
ART 101
Fundamentals of Drawing
4
DRMA 107
Theatre Production
1 - 5
MUSC 145
Concert Band
1 - 3
PE 187
Cross Training
2
PHOTO 101
Introduction to Photography
5
Choose 1 course from:
BOT 112
Survey of the Plant Kingdom
5
CHEM& 110
Chemical Concepts w/Lab
5
ENVS& 101
Intro to Environmental Science
5
GEOL& 101
Intro to Physical Geology
5
Choose 1 course from:
ANTH& 100
Survey of Anthropology
5
ANTH& 206
Cultural Anthropology
5
FRCH& 122
French II
5
SOC 221
Race and Ethnic Relations
5
SOC 230
Sociology of Gender
5
Total Credits
 
15

Sixth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
Choose 1 course from:
ANTH& 100
Survey of Anthropology
5
ANTH& 206
Cultural Anthropology
5
FRCH& 123
French III
5
SOC 221
Race and Ethnic Relations
5
SOC 230
Sociology of Gender
5
Choose 1 course from:
ANTH& 205
Biological Anthropology
5
CHEM 116
Reactions: Our Actions and Inactions
5
GEOL 116
Environmental Geology
5
GEOL& 100
Survey of Earth Science
5
Choose 1 course from:
ECON& 202
Macro Economics
5
POLS 125
Introduction to Global Issues
5
Total Credits
 
15

Maximum estimated costs for completing this program

  • Tuition

  • Resident

    $
    9,544

  • Non-Resident

    $
    17,651

  • International

    $
    21,823

  • Books

    $
    2,199

  • Course Fees

    $
    215

  • Institutional Fees

    $
    1,511

  • The amounts listed for tuition and lab & course fees reflects a maximum estimated cost and may be lower based on courses selected.
  • The amount listed for books is a maximum estimated cost based on the price of new textbooks purchased during the previous school year. Costs may be lower based on student choices and availability (used books vs new, rental vs purchase).
  • For more information about costs, visit our page How Much Does It Cost?

  • Cameron McCormick
    Cameron McCormick
    Geography/Anthropology
    B.A., St. Olaf College; M.S., University of Nevada; Ph.D., University of Kansas
    Cameron.McCormick@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-3629

This class is focused on the study of direction, distance, location, place, human environmental actions, and regions. This course covers social, political, economic, and geological geography. It does this through direct lecture, class discussion, computer labs, dad jokes, cheesy puns (wait for the volcanoes unit,) and friend losing-illustrations. A typical week consists of 4 days of lecture and one day of computer lab, with frequent online and in class quizzes on countries, bodies of water, and cities. With a few short homework assignments a week – SFCC Geography Student

There is a lot more to this class than just maps and learning locations. We cover everything from weather systems and volcanoes to political geography and how geography affects our government. We will also learn how to read maps and create our own contour profile. We learn about how plate tectonics and volcanoes helped shape the earth into how we see it today. We will talk about how we use the Earth's natural resources to support our civilization. This class covers almost every part of Geography that affects us as humans. – SFCC Geography Student

Math recommendations: There is math in geography. If you are in, or have completed MATH 94 or MATH 88, you should be able to quickly learn the math in any GEOG class.

Online Education Resources: Most GEOG classes at SFCC use free online textbooks, although there may be an additional low-cost book. Most homework is made available online and requires internet access. Although there are usually weekly computer lab sessions in all courses, students should have internet access or allow time to use SFCC computer labs.

All GEOG courses count towards the AA/DTA degree Social Sciences Group A requirements.

How good is your place name geography? Can you figure out where in the world is SFCC geographer Cameron McCormick in this video?

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Cameron McCormick

Faculty
Cameron.McCormick@sfcc.spokane.edu
509-533-3629

Suzie Heimbigner

Pathways Specialist
suzie.heimbigner@sfcc.spokane.edu
509-533-3403
Building 24, Office 108C